Insights From the 2015 Black Business Student Forum Conference

These insights were captured at the 27th annual Black Business Student Forum (BBSF) conference, held 6 February at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. The student-led BBSF brought approximately 150 undergraduate students from historically black colleges and universities to the Darden School for the conference, “Emerging Domestic Markets: Finding Growth in the U.S.”

Insights From the Conference Speakers:

“The real challenge in Virginia is how to catalyze the non-public business sector. We need to stimulate private sector growth.”
— Maurice Jones, secretary of commerce and trade, Commonwealth of Virginia, after noting that the U.S. Defense Department is by far the commonwealth’s largest employer

“You’re only as good as your network and your interpersonal skills will take you. It’s important to reach out in early stages for advice.”
— Jim Powers, CEO, HemoShear, on starting a business

“In a community of color, it’s important to pass on a tradition of education and entrepreneurship. It’s important to keep the business in the family. That’s how you build intergenerational equity.”
— Vasco Bridges, executive director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

“‘Be mentally flexible’ is part of the recipe for success. When you start, you have a vision for your company. Then you quickly find out it should be different. You need to know how to pivot.”
— Tracey Greene, executive director, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council

“I always try not to have lunch alone. It’s amazing what you can learn.”
— Rob Masri, CEO, Cardagin Networks, on the importance of networking

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I’m amazed at how many people we didn’t even know, who we’re willing to help.”
— Bill Harvey (MBA ’77), president – packaging & industrial polymers, DuPont